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My boyfriend and I are in the first stages of planning a Disney trip for net year in October. Right now it is a lot of discussion and research. I have been several times and stayed on property once. We are trying to figure out the best accommodations as cheaply as possible. It's either camping, or a value resort. Does any one have a preference? does anyone have advice for camping? We both like camping and would be in a tent.
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I haven't camped at WDW, but from what I've read, it's a great campground to stay in. October may still be pretty hot and is still in hurricane season, so could mean some big rains, but it could also be really nice weather for camping.
It will cost you about half of what a value resort costs, to stay in the campground, so if money really matters......
I'm sure someone who's camped at Fort Wilderness will come tell you about it shortly.
to the boards! Camping at Fort Wilderness is definitely the least expensive. If you enjoy tent camping, then you will enjoy Fort Wilderness. We camped there in May for 8 nights in a camper. I was surprised at how quiet the campground was (or at least around our loop). The comfort stations are very clean, definitely the nicest ones we've used. We had no issues with the buses while we were there. You have to take an internal bus to either the settlement bus stop or the outpost bus stop to get on the park buses. You take the boat to the MK. You can rent a golf cart to get around the campground if you don't want to ride the internal buses, but it's about $47 a day. Like I said earlier, if you enjoy tent camping, Fort Wilderness is the place for you. We'll be there next October, too! Have fun!
Wow! We are campers too and have always wondered about camping at Fort Wilderness. However, tent? For me, there is a big difference between a tent at the campground and a hotel room. There is also a big price difference, even at a value. If money is the real issue, I would opt for camping but otherwise give me a real bed and a bathroom to myself anytime. I (the queen) have never tent camped. We have always had a camper, first a pop up and now a travel trailer with everything in it on a permanent sight. But the boys always enjoyed the tent while fishing. Good luck with your decision! I do know that Fort Wilderness has lots of amenities and activities. That campfire and S'mores always looks SO good. Bigred
I haven't decided when in October, but we'll probably go late in the month. I said last night that I wanted to go and my boyfriend said ok, just tell me when. I'm still looking for info on what the weather potential will be. It's not that much more expensive for us to go value resort, but any money we can save will be a big plus. His sister-in-law suggested January/Fubruary, But I also know that's when they do a lot of the maintenance on the rides and I'd really rather not take the chance that a ride I Love will be down.
If you really want an inexpensive accomodation, AAA is not showing a $65./night in January for all the values. I'm not sure you can get much less expensive than that. Mind you, I hate camping so it does bias my opinion.
We have gone in January and while there were a few attractions down, we've also had favorites rehabeed when we've been in March/April. Allearsnet lists the closures and I looked for our January trip and it looked like almost everything is open.
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We are staying at Fort Wilderness Oct. 12th-18th, 2008 (6 nights) in a preferred site (gotta have that cable tv) with a AAA discount. The total is $302.40. Probably the cheapest stay we've ever had!
I love Fort Wilderness, but I've only stayed in the cabins there. They're quite a bit more than the All Stars. I love the All Stars. If you love to tent camp, then by all means, go for it! But if you want the runnin' water and toilet, then book at the All Stars. Either way is going to be awesome. Lots of armadillos at the campground! And snakes(okay more than 1 snake = alot to me!).
We absolutely love Fort Wilderness! If it was up to DH, we wouldn't go anywhere else. He compares that campground to any other place we go.
We have stayed in loop 1500 twice. This is a loop with water/electric only, and it is the cheapest option if you want electricity. We have a pop up camper, but I wouldn't hesitate to camp in a tent. You can plug in a fan if it is warm. The restrooms are a close walk and are very clean! I've seen people take mini refrigerators & plug them in w/ a tarp over them to protect them from rain.
The campsites are quite large, so you have plenty of room.
I believe there are only 2 loops that offer water/electric only. We like 1500 because it is right across from the swimming pool/recreation area.
This would be a much cheaper option than a value resort if you like to camp. I wouldn't wait too long to make reservations, though. It fills up fast!
We LOVE the WDW camping. I always went there as a child with my mom and dad and we were always very very happy. We are planning to go next summer with my kids and husband and mom, dad and little sis again in camping. Plus since you cook your own meal, it's the same as you would pay at home since you do your grocery every week!! Actually, we eat better in camping then at home since we take the time to sit down and really enjoy the meal with wine and everything... just LOVE camping.
Lots of armadillos at the campground! And snakes(okay more than 1 snake = alot to me!).
For me, being the animal enthusiast I am, this just makes it even more worth it for me to camp. I have a really nice tent that I haven't had much time to use and in looking at the temps for that time of year, it shouldn't really be too bad I don't think. Someone also mentioned reserving soon. When my boyfriend said to me last night "so let's go." He later said to hold him to it AFTER I switch jobs. I'm hurrying! Also, does anyone have any recommendations on who to go through to book a package? Just really looking for tickets and accommodations. I know that there's a travel agency on line that is advertised on a podcast. I've sort of looked into it a little, but would like some advice.
I grew up a certified non-camper. My parents were older and they prefered a nice hotel thanks. But my husband talked me in to buying a tent and we went to Fort Wilderness and it was amazing. Clean, quite, peaceful and themed as good as any other Disney resort. You will love it.
(I miss the train that used to run around the area, pre-buses. I also miss the "Marsh- mellow Marsh Walk" that used to take place near the lake. Now it is part of the outdoor movie area. And, now that I think of it, I miss swimming in the lake and playing on the beach.)
Suzie
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We have tented at Ft Wilderness several times, and just love it! We even went once in July (!), and I adapted easily by taking a small room air conditioner, 2 milk crates, and set it up right in our window screen area in the tent! They also have wonderful air mattresses now, so having a "bed" is no big deal! I was also the odd one who brought her dorm fridge, and, yes, I admit it, I also brought my electric wok, because after 7 days, I REALLY wanted something other than a grilled item! (Worked for eggs in the morning, I even grilled cheese in it!)
We also did bring a TV, because we KNEW it would rain at lest once in July (8 times), and that saved our sanity with the kids. We were cool, comfy, and there is just something really warm and wonderful about tenting!
WE DID decide to rent the golf cart, and that was wonderful! We were able to get everywhere on OUR schedule, and leave quickly if we needed to (4 kids)...
PM me if you have any other questions! I am a Disney Travel Specialist, head down there about 9 times a year, and feel fairly comfortable helping with any thoughts you might have!
I have camped in a tent in Fort Wilderness. It is a great inexpensive alternative if you want to stay on Disney property and can't afford a hotel. The comfort stations are super clean, and the campground itself is peaceful and quiet.
But, what if it rains all week? Not my idea of a fun vacation. The value resorts are very affordable, especially if you go during the value season. How about splitting your stay, so if the weather is poor, you will at least have a hotel to look forward to at the end of your vacation?
I'm not much of a camper so I'm probably not the best person to give advice on whether or not to go for it but I wanted to add that you can check out the Ask the Travel Agent forum - there's a list with contact information for travel agents. You can book through a travel agent or directly through Disney (same price). I chose to book through a travel agent this time because it is very convenient
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to the boards! Camping at Fort Wilderness is definitely the least expensive. If you enjoy tent camping, then you will enjoy Fort Wilderness. We camped there in May for 8 nights in a camper. I was surprised at how quiet the campground was (or at least around our loop). The comfort stations are very clean, definitely the nicest ones we've used. We had no issues with the buses while we were there. You have to take an internal bus to either the settlement bus stop or the outpost bus stop to get on the park buses. You take the boat to the MK. You can rent a golf cart to get around the campground if you don't want to ride the internal buses, but it's about $47 a day. Like I said earlier, if you enjoy tent camping, Fort Wilderness is the place for you. We'll be there next October, too! Have fun!
Marianne IS bigred!
the kids and I in Cayo Coco, Cuba. March 2011
but I wanted to add that you can check out the Ask the Travel Agent forum - there's a list with contact information for travel agents. You can book through a travel agent or directly through Disney (same price). I chose to book through a travel agent this time because it is very convenient 
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